The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 246

We have a special Jukebox today. That's because tomorrow it's (another) election day here in Spain. And seeing the electoral polls and some social network "mantras" that you see and hear repeatedly, like "is so horrible we have to vote again", "all politicians are the same" or "why should we bother?" we at the Blog can't remain silent, fuelled by an explosive tune of one of our favourite bands, Comet Gain. Because no, sacrificing a little bit of you Sunday it's not a great effort. No, all the parties are not the same. If you are thinking on voting fascists, then you are a fascist. Or if you are considering voting a party that is capable to reach political pacts with fascists, then you are supporting fascism, as simple as that. As a matter of fact, we have reached such a despicable point that even the current ruling party has a lot to be blamed for in order to understand why are we here… but we need a longer post for that. That's why we all should bother, listen and vote. Don't be a fucking moron! And remember to join us in our Soundcloud page!

Direct links to 2019 Jukebox playlists

Week 214  Week 215 Week 216  Week 217 Week 218 Week 219 Week 220 Week 221 

Week 222 Week 223  Week 224  Week 225 Week 226  Week 227 Week 228 Week 229

Week 230 Week 231  Week 232  Week 233  Week 234 Week 235 Week 236 Week 237
Week 238 Week 239  Week 240  Week 241  Week 242 Week 243 Week 244 Week 245

United We Can: A Playlist

As you might know, today is General Election Day here in Spain. A day that hopefully means the beginning of a new form of government for my country. One where corruption is not the norm and putting people (as Bernie would say, the 99%) first becomes the fundamental doctrine. One where neoliberalism is not a mantra and public service recovers its true meaning. One ruled by the unity of the people, not the will of the few powerful and rich. I'm not shy of sharing what I'm voting (I have always voted the real left) but, I'm hopeful this time we have a real chance to determine politics in Spain (as is already happening in cities like Madrid and Barcelona). So I have prepared a quick playlist with some politically charged and personally meaningful bands and songs (tried to skip the most usual political artists, like Dylan or Marley, and Sam Cooke/ Creedence have a lot to do with what my father taught me) for this long and important evening. So, if you don't share my political views, at least I hope you enjoy the music!

A Weekend with The Very Most (part II)

As promised, here's the next chapter of our recount of the days spent in Boise, Idaho, visiting our friend and indiepop genius Jeremy Jensen, aka The Very Most. We ended part I of this special double post with the rehearsal at Jeremy's house. After it was over, we quickly moved to downtown Boise to carry the equipment to the gig's venue. My first experience as a roadie was quite curious, learning two lessons: 1) Backstages are not very glamorous (at least the indiepop ones); 2) The loneliness of the self-made man artist is blatantly evident (only indiepop artists?). Still, after a quick dinner and a very awkward act prior to TVM (the night's line-up had four bands/artists scheduled), and some tension because a couple of band members didn't show up until the very last minute, it was finally time for Jeremy and Co. to pack the stage (I mean it, six-seven musicians on such a tiny place). Aww! I've been waiting so long to write this!

The Very Most. The Crux, Boise, August 24th 

TVM's on stage. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Yes, I know that Jeremy wasn't very happy about the gig, frustrated by how they sounded and some coordination issues. And yes, I'm the first to agree that seven tunes aren't enough to have even a little hint of such a wonderful career represented live. Not with the amount of songs "our man" can offer. At all. But how can one aspire to be really objective when a gig starts being publicly dedicated to you and your girlfriend?  

Man on duty. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

No let's get back to the "serious stuff" here. What can you say if the opening trio of tunes are "Today It Is Even Better", "We Don't Have Any Cuts to Waste" and "Good Fight Fighting"? Blink and you missed it. Hard to find a better start, with "Cuts to Waste" in particular revealing itself as a tremendous song live with this fierce and upfront version. While it might be truth the pace was speed-up a bit during the whole set, I don't think that until the final number, the joyful "Congrizzle 4evzz", presented by Jeremy as "their danceable hit", that meant a sounding issue.   

Two more rescues from the unmissable "A Year With The Very Most" (one of these records that should be in every indiepop collector shelf), "The Motor-Vu Lights" and "When Summer Finally Dies" where followed by another favourite, "Changed Me", from the magnificent "Ununiversalizable Us" EP, allowing the female-male voices shine live, before the rousing finale with "Congrizzle 4evzz". Too short, sure (not even 40 minutes), but as intense and lovable as expected. Which made the last band of the night pale by comparison. Hearing them after TVM didn't make sense to any of us (think on The Fray meeting The Lumineers, or on every chapter's "Grey's Anatomy" epic song and you'll understand why we ran from the place). Another day was expecting us. 

Bloodbuzzed & TVM in McCall.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Sunday was reserved to visit the touristic and picturesque town of McCall, a two hour drive from Boise, which allowed us to "fill" the trip with endless talks about politics and oh surprise!, music. If you allow me to make a quick digression on the first issue, one of the worst things we, citizens (doesn't mind if you are from Spain or the United States) have done, is to forget WHY do we want/need politicians for, what are the reasons of giving them the power to take decisions for us. It's so gratifying to see Jeremy is an exception: he does remember perfectly. Anyway, between giant ice-creams, a soundtrack composed of Luna, McCarthy, The Go-Betweens, Aztec Camera or The Soft City among others, pleasant views of the Payette Lake even despite the smoky day (caused by the terrible fires devastating Yosemite National Park) and the unbeatable company, the journey was just lovely. Back home, and after discovering I have been missing Arrested Development for many years (something that must be solved as soon as I get back to Barcelona) it was time to close the day and, after saying 'til soon, early next morning (Jeremy back to work, us ready for several hours on the road again, towards Salt Lake City), also put the end of a great weekend, that I do hope is only an unforgettable chapter of a friendship that will provide many more stories to tell.

I do have one final question, though. Does anybody know why everywhere Jeremy goes The Beach Boys' music start playing?

Go #29S! No Fear!

Sorry for posting about politics again, but we are fighting for our future... Tomorrow, Saturday 29th there's another mobilisation to surround the Congress, surrounding it, to let "them" know they don't represent us and we have had enough of their policies and attitudes (with the latest episode of police violence being another shameful and despicable example of a government that has lost any glimpse of credibility). 

Tomorrow, our hopes, future and rights are with the ones in Madrid (and the rest of cities committed for the event). We have no fear. 

Official announcement of the mobilisation. Please take a minute and read it.

We are still in the streets and we have no fear.

http://coordinadora25s.wordpress.com/

(My) Independence

Spain! Catalonia! I'm so tired of you two! Quino nailed it again.

It was bound to happen. I tried to stay aside from the current debate on Catalonia / Spain, but it's everywhere. I guess my choice wasn't very realistic and couldn't last long. So here's a very personal collection of thoughts...


(My) Independence

I want to be independent... from politics
From corrupted and vile politicians
The ones that brought us here & cut our rights,
but now have decided to hide their failures behind flags

I want to be independent... from media
From the miserable and evil majority of media
The ones that should be informing citizens,
but they are just manipulating us while serving the corporation that pays their checks

I want to be independent... from justice
From the paralysed and partial justice
The ones that should be defending our rights
but instead they just protect the unfair benefits and privileges of the richest and powerful

I want to be independent... from the Constitution
From the so sacred and untouchable Constitution
Many of us didn't vote it, but we all have the right to
decide whether it still fits us or not

I want to be independent... from democracy
From this ridiculous, false and deplorable idea of democracy
Where the ones supposedly chosen by us are only serving themselves
Where the ones we vote don't make the decisions, and the ones that do,
banks & greedy corporations, are free to keep their campaign towards social annihilation

I can't believe on a future leaded by the ones ruining our present. I want to be independent from a rescue I didn't provoke; from an economic model based on construction and tourism I didn't choose, and has obviously failed; from ancien régime institutions like monarchy, religion or capitalism; from conservative parties that call themselves liberals but are just fascists, and from left parties that forgot all their social aims while they focus on keeping their pockets full; from silly bipartidism; from corruption; from markets; from a EU that is sadly just another neoliberal economic club; from a criminal unemployment rate fostered by criminal an absurd neoliberal policies that I haven't voted; from people who still tries to use the language/s he/she speaks as a tool to divide people; from all nationalisms and anyone who tries to win an argument waving a flag. Behind any flag, there's people. That's what matters. This shouldn't be about Spain or Catalonia, but about the needs and rights of the citizens living on that territory. That's the sort of independence we should seek.